Manual Handling Instructors Refresher Course

The Real Cost of Outdated Manual Handling Training
• Common causes of manual handling injuries in Irish workplaces
• Impact of ineffective or outdated training programmes
• Consequences of poor lifting practices and behavioural drift
• Absenteeism, lost productivity, and injury-related costs
• Importance of maintaining instructor competence and credibility

Reviewing the Manual Handling Instructor Role
• Responsibilities of a Manual Handling Instructor
• Supporting organisational safety objectives
• Maintaining professional standards and competence
• Reinforcing the importance of ongoing development
• Addressing changes in workplace practices and risks

Legislative Updates & Organisational Responsibilities
• Review of relevant Irish manual handling legislation
• Employer and employee responsibilities
• Recent developments in health and safety guidance
• Manual handling risk assessment responsibilities
• The role of refresher training in supporting compliance

Hazard Identification & Risk Awareness
• Reviewing common manual handling hazards
• Recognising changes in workplace risk profiles
• Evaluating handling tasks using the TILE approach
• Identifying unsafe behaviours and practices
• Supporting proactive injury prevention

Refreshing Safe Working Practices & Control Measures
• Review of safe lifting, lowering, carrying, pushing, and pulling techniques
• Team handling principles and considerations
• Reinforcing ergonomic best practices
• Applying practical risk reduction strategies
• Common handling errors and corrective actions

Instructional Skills Refresher
• Delivering engaging manual handling training sessions
• Updating training delivery techniques
• Demonstrating practical exercises effectively
• Managing participant engagement and learning styles
• Providing feedback and coaching for behavioural improvement

Practical Skills Assessment & Coaching
• Instructor-led demonstrations
• Practical technique reviews
• Observation and assessment exercises
• Correcting unsafe manual handling practices
• Maintaining confidence and competence as an instructor

Organisational Responsibility & Safety Culture
• Supporting positive workplace safety behaviours
• Encouraging employee participation and accountability
• Reporting trends, concerns, and recurring risks
• Promoting continuous improvement through training
• Strengthening organisational safety culture

Manual Handling Training as an Ongoing Risk Management Activity
• Maintaining instructor competency records
• Monitoring training effectiveness
• Reviewing workplace manual handling risks
• Updating programmes to reflect organisational changes
• Embedding manual handling awareness into daily operations

This course is suitable for individuals who are already qualified Manual Handling Instructors and require refresher training, including:

• Certified Manual Handling Instructors
• Health & Safety Officers
• EHS Managers
• HR Professionals responsible for training
• Facilities Managers
• Supervisors and Team Leaders delivering training
• Training Coordinators

Participants must hold a valid or previously completed Manual Handling Instructor qualification.

Compliance
Manual Handling Instructors must maintain up-to-date knowledge to ensure training remains aligned with current legislation and best practices.

Risk Reduction
Consistent and correct training delivery reduces workplace injuries and manual handling-related incidents.

Training Quality
Refresher training ensures instructors deliver accurate, effective, and standardised training across organisations.

Organisational Responsibility
Supports employers in maintaining safe systems of work and competent training delivery.

Participants will:

• Refresh knowledge of manual handling legislation and responsibilities
• Reinforce correct manual handling techniques
• Improve training delivery and instructional skills
• Identify and correct unsafe handling practices
• Apply risk assessment principles to workplace scenarios
• Maintain high standards in manual handling instruction

Instructor-led refresher training

• Practical demonstrations and technique review
• Instructor-led discussions
• Scenario-based learning
• Peer observation and feedback

Delivered:

• Onsite at client premises, or
• At designated training venues (TBC)

This training supports employer obligations under:

• Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005
• Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 – Chapter 4: Manual Handling of Loads

Irish legislation requires employers to:

• Avoid manual handling where possible
• Assess manual handling risks
• Implement control measures
• Provide appropriate training to employees

Refresher training ensures instructors continue to meet these obligations through effective training delivery.

Samson Training delivers professional instructor-level training focused on maintaining high standards in workplace safety education.

Our approach emphasises:

• Practical technique validation
• Consistent training delivery standards
• Real workplace application
• Instructor confidence and competence
• Observation-led training improvement

We position instructor refresher training as a critical part of organisational safety systems — not simply certification renewa

Is refresher training required for Manual Handling Instructors?
While not always legally defined by timeframe, refresher training is strongly recommended to maintain competence and ensure training remains aligned with current legislation and best practice.

Who should attend this refresher course?
Certified Manual Handling Instructors who wish to update their knowledge, maintain certification standards, and improve training delivery.

Does the course include practical assessment?
Yes. Participants will review and demonstrate correct manual handling techniques and receive feedback on instructional delivery.

How often should instructors complete refresher training?
Many organisations recommend refresher training every 2–3 years to maintain high standards and compliance.

Can this course be delivered onsite?
Yes. The course can be delivered onsite and tailored to reflect specific workplace manual handling risks.